This print is an additional title page for the series of eight plates entitled ‘Midshipman Blockhead, the Progress of a Midshipman exemplified in the career of Master Blockhead. It is one of two plates added when the ‘Midshipman Blockhead’ series was re-issued by Thomas McLean in 1835 (see also PAD4838). Both additions were made in a different format from the eight original plates: much smaller and portrait rather than landscape.

The Latin inscription on the image reads ‘sic transit gloria mundi’ which translates as ‘thus passes the glory of the world’ – a phrase typically used when an important era comes to an end or a distinguished person dies. This could be seen as an ironic introduction to Master Blockhead’s naval experience, which is presented by Cruikshank as neither particularly heroic nor out of the ordinary. The grandeur of the inscription is echoed by the monument-like arrangement of figures, including the young sailor flying the Union Flag and the uniformed men on either side.

Other versions of this image in the collection are: PAD4744 and PAG8635 with no image.